Redhawk Caldera Fire away, fire away.

Receiving visits from @Wraen and Meerkat helped lift Towhee's mood, if only a little. Her daughter even spent the night curled up beside her near the creek, one cheek resting on the Sovereign's belly so she could feel the puppies kick. They talked—well, Towhee talked and Meerkat listened—late into the night, Meerkat's good ear pricked to take in her mother's every word.

In the morning, Towhee walked Meerkat to the borders. That was when she asked if her daughter might consider staying here when Moonglow could spare her. If she didn't like the idea of moving back in with her parents, Towhee even floated a totally random thought: what if Meerkat and @Bronco took this opportunity to found another sister pack in one of the territories next door?

Meerkat left after telling her mother she would think over everything. She needed to consult with her brother, of course. "Of course," were Towhee's parting words, kissing her daughter's brow. "See you." Towhee stood and watched as the yearling galloped back in the direction of Ouroboros Spine.

When Meerkat disappeared into the distance, it was like a thundercloud appeared in the sky over Towhee's head. Her face darkened and her mood sank. She swept the nearby borderline with her sharp orange eyes, then turned to begin climbing the caldera.